Taking care of your power tools and performing regular maintenance on them will extend their life while saving you time and money in the long run.
For those who use power tools regularly, maintenance is key. Power tools are subjected to a lot of abuse, especially for those with a workspace that sees frequent use. If they are not given proper maintenance, these tools won’t last very long, and the investment will seem like it wasn’t worth it. Extend the life of your power tools with an appropriate maintenance routine that keeps them in good working condition while also mitigating the risk of damage.
Heat Management
An easy way to kill a power tool is by allowing it to overheat. This is a common occurrence, and it tends to happen when the tool is being used on a particularly difficult material that the tool struggles to cut through. It also commonly happens when the tool is being used for a long time without interruption. If you feel that your tool is beginning to get hot, turn it off and let it cool down before you begin using it again.
Overheating can damage the motor of the tool, which will either require a replacement motor or a full replacement of the tool. Overheating can also damage the lithium-ion battery, frying it entirely and rendering it useless. This is all the more reason to practice proper heat management and make sure to let your tools have a break when they start to get hot.
Daily Cleaning
Power tools need to be cleaned every day. Once you’re finished with your work for that day, use a can of compressed air on any tools you used to clear dust and debris out of the vents. Also, give every tool a wipe-down. When using your can of compressed air, don’t blast it straight into the vent, as this could actually push dust and dirt further in. Instead, use the can of compressed air at an angle that pushes the dust and debris out and away from the tool. Be careful when doing a wipe-down not to accidentally trap any dust or dirt in the tool’s vents. There are also a lot of nooks and crannies on many power tools that like to collect dust—hit these with compressed air as well.
Lubrication
Power tools have a lot of moving parts, and lubrication is often needed to keep those parts moving. Every tool will be different when it comes to lubrication, so consult the owner’s manual about this maintenance procedure to ensure that you’re doing it correctly for the best results that will prolong the life of your tools.
Replace Parts
Over time, power tools will begin to break down. If you are someone who spends a lot of time working with power tools, it might be too much to replace every tool as soon as it starts acting up. Instead, look into replacing failing parts to keep the cost down and continue using your old power tools for as long as possible.
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At Jason Brown Wood Floors, our commitment to quality installation is clear in all that we do, which is why our customers consistently rate us as one of the top contractors in the region. We have been awarded Baltimore Magazine’s Best of Baltimore Award 4 times and have been proudly serving the Baltimore Area for over 16 years. If you’re ready to speak with someone about your hardwood flooring project, we want to hear from you! Contact us at 410-668-9131 or send us a message here.
Jason Brown Wood Floors is also your convenient dealer of high-quality, professional-grade power tools. We offer brands that tradespeople trust most for the job. Come check out our Abingdon showroom to browse the in-stock selection of products and tools by Festool, Freud, Diablo, Shaper, Mirka, Makita, Saw Stop, and Grex.
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